By Mikayla van Loon
The Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is making a return this coming weekend, getting contributors and exhibitors excited to get back to the showgrounds after three years.
Lilydale Community Gardens president Benson Bannon said there’s nothing not to be enjoyed about the Show and it was greatly missed over the last few years.
“We missed all the fun of the fair during those years of Covid-19 precautions,” he said.
“We missed the Agricultural and Horticultural exhibitions, the Rides and Carnival Alley, the Horse events, seeing what the stall holders had to give away and had on offer, and of course the fireworks on the Saturday night.”
While the Lilydale Community Gardens held a stall both in 2018 and 2019, Mr Bannon said many of the groups’ members have been attending the Show for at least the last 20 years.
“We, the members of the Lilydale Community Gardens, organise a stall to promote our group, sell plants to raise funds, and chat to people about everything to do with gardening,” he said.
Talking and mingling with other exhibitors, visitors and local friendly faces Mr Bannon said is one of the best parts of being involved in the Lilydale Show.
Mr Bannon said newcomers will be able to enjoy “all the fun of the fair” while celebrating and getting involved in the community.
“The Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is one of the top 10 regional Shows in Victoria. It has been celebrating regional life and living since about 1911,” he said.
“Participants are able to highlight their groups or their services or their products. Local business is boosted by people visiting the Show and shopping and dining before or afterwards. Urban families are able to readily re-connect with country-living, especially including the petting-farm.”
The Lilydale and Yarra Valley Show is running Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 November.
